Maharashtra
New Frog Species in Maharashtra
- 12 Mar 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Researchers from Maharashtra have discovered a new endemic frog species,‘Minervarya ghatiborealis’ at Mahabaleshwar.
- They included it in the genus Minervarya, commonly known as the ‘Cricket frog’. The international journal Zootaxa has published their study on this species.
Key Points
- Etymology and Meaning:
- The species' name combines the Sanskrit word ‘Ghati’ (Western) and the Latin word ‘Borealis’ (Northern).
- It translates to ‘from the north-western Ghats’, reflecting its habitat.
- Distinctive Features:
- Frogs of the Minervarya genus have parallel lines on their abdomens, making them easy to identify.
- They nest near standing water or small springs.
- Their calls resemble nightingale sounds, a unique trait among frogs.
- Male frogs of this species produce distinct breeding calls, which set them apart from other Minervarya species.
- Conservation Importance:
- The need for continuous conservation efforts in the Western Ghats was emphasized.
- The Mahabaleshwar Plateau is now recognized as a key area for endemic species, requiring enhanced conservation measures.
The Western Ghats
- About:
- These are the mountain ranges running parallel along the western coast of India starting from Gujarat and ending in Tamil Nadu.
- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the six Indian states covered by Western Ghats.
- The mountain range is also a “Hottest Hotspot” of biodiversity.
- The Ghats are often called the Great Escarpment of India and are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- High Biodiversity and Endemism are special features of Western Ghats along with the presence of Evergreen Forests.
- Significance:
- The Ghats influence the Indian monsoon weather patterns that mediate the warm tropical climate of the region.
- They act as a barrier to rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west.
- Western Ghats are home to tropical evergreen forests, as well as to 325 globally threatened species.
- Plateaus are the dominant landscapes in the Western Ghats, significant because of the predominance of endemic species.
